Overmolded Pipe Connection for Incompatible Materials
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for connecting pipes made of chemically incompatible materials, such as rubber and thermoplastic, are labor-intensive, costly, and prone to leakage due to the need for additional components and compatibility issues, with overmolding being limited by material compatibility and requiring extra steps.
Innovation Solution
An overmolding technique where a pipe with a flange is molded over another pipe, providing a mechanical link and strong anchoring, even when materials are incompatible, by encapsulating the flange with a thermoplastic material around the rubber pipe, eliminating the need for additional components like screw clamps and ensuring a tight seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a screw clamp is used to connect a thermoplastic pipe to a rubber pipe, then the connection can be achieved, but it requires multiple components (two molds and a screw clamp), multiple steps (mounting clamp, fitting pipe, tightening), extra labor and material costs, and is error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the connection function and the pipe structure into a single integrated component. The thermoplastic pipe is molded directly onto the rubber pipe, combining what were previously separate components (pipe + clamp) into one unified assembly, thereby eliminating the need for multiple parts and assembly steps
Solution Approach 2:
The connection is established during the molding process itself rather than as a separate subsequent step. The thermoplastic material is molded onto the rubber pipe in advance, creating the connection as part of the manufacturing process rather than requiring post-assembly operations
2Ease of manufacture
If overmolding is used to connect two pipes, then the connection is simplified, but the substrate material and overmolded material must be chemically compatible for the bond to occur, limiting applicability to incompatible materials
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different properties to different regions of the connection. The thermoplastic pipe provides mechanical anchoring through its molded structure that physically interlocks with the rubber pipe, while a separate sealing element provides the chemical/adhesive bond. This local differentiation of functions allows incompatible materials to be joined by combining mechanical and chemical bonding mechanisms
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method simplifies the connection process, reduces material and labor costs, and provides a strong, leak-resistant coupling between chemically incompatible pipes, enhancing mechanical anchoring and sealing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an end of a second pipe (12) is molded over an end of a first pipe (11)
Implementation Method 2
providing a mechanical link and strong anchoring, even when materials are incompatible, by encapsulating the flange with a thermoplastic material around the rubber pipe
Implementation Method 3
ensuring a tight seal
Data Source
Figure 1~6
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a pipe connection arrangement (10), comprising a first pipe (11) having a flange (112) on one end and a second pipe (12) having an end (121) molded over said flange (112). According to the invention, said molded end (121) of said second pipe (12) encapsulates said flange (112) of said first pipe (11).